Monday, September 13, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
JuNk dRaWer AdvEnt CaLenDar
When I created the JuNk dRaWer AdvEnt caLenDar last December I did it on a whim to fulfill an assignment I was given for 7gypsies. There was such an outpouring of interest, Deb said to me..."we have got to do that again next year but make it a complete kit." My thought was, "are you nuts?" But after the Christmas tree was put away and I had taken a nap...we started the adventure to gather all the vintage bits to create the calendar.
So here it is...same burlap backing as last year and you might notice a few tags are similar. I couldn't make the calendar again without our sweet little bird in the spoon, a traditional bottle brush tree decorated with mercury glass beads and the Eiffel tower to give it that French feel. The rest of the tags are much more detailed and some new techniques have been added in.
There are two ways to purchase the Calendar. You can join us for a class in Arizona at Debbie's house (yes, you get to see her studio) or you can purchase a kit online.
And if you just want a little inspiration you can follow along right here on the blog starting Monday, Oct 18th as we show you step by step how to create several of the tags (just like last year). Spread the news, Christmas begins in October at One Lucky Day!
So here it is...same burlap backing as last year and you might notice a few tags are similar. I couldn't make the calendar again without our sweet little bird in the spoon, a traditional bottle brush tree decorated with mercury glass beads and the Eiffel tower to give it that French feel. The rest of the tags are much more detailed and some new techniques have been added in.
There are two ways to purchase the Calendar. You can join us for a class in Arizona at Debbie's house (yes, you get to see her studio) or you can purchase a kit online.
And if you just want a little inspiration you can follow along right here on the blog starting Monday, Oct 18th as we show you step by step how to create several of the tags (just like last year). Spread the news, Christmas begins in October at One Lucky Day!
Junk Drawer Advent Calendar
This extensive kit includes items to make tags, pins, and fabric backing...kit also includes vintage treasures, 4 clear stamp sets, patterns for cutouts, ribbon, written instructions, CD with up close photos of each tag. The kit will come beautifully packaged (we promise) in a sturdy, kraft storage box that will allow you to keep your tags preserved from year to year. It's a family heirloom in the making.
Kit Price $159 + shipping
International shipping is available upon request. Please email before the go live date.
Supplies NOT included; harlequin stamp, paint, distress ink and other basic crafting supplies, ceiling tile (not conducive to shipping) but does include burlap fabric, ribbon trim and upholstery tacks to create your board. You can see how I did it here.
A limited number of kits will go on sale
October 1st 8:00am (PST)
Ship date - Oct 15th
To purchase (on or after Oct 1st), click on the orange ETSY button on the left side bar to get to our ETSY store.
Junk Drawer Advent Calendar Class
(very limited number)
Sat, November 6th
all day
Debbie's house in Gilbert, Arizona
includes class kit + extra supplies, lunch, snacks, sodas
Class price $189
If you would like to purchase this class, email us at: contact@2gypsygirls.com for availability. We will send you an email to confirm your spot in the class before the kits go on sale on Oct 1st. After confirmation, payment can be made by check or Paypal.
Be watching next week as we will have detailed pictures of the calendar and packaging.
If you have questions regarding the calendar you can contact us at contact@2gypsygirls.com.
photo frames House of 3 and Danielle Thompson for Jessica Sprague.com
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
I want that
do we have your attention?
I thought so...
photo frames by Danielle Thompson at Jessica Sprague.com
Thursday, September 2, 2010
John Derian at Target
Just a reminder... the new John Derian line for Target will debut Sept 5...that's only a few days away now. John Derian is a fabulous New York decoupage artist, who has been creating captivating pieces for years.
I love browsing his website looking at all the interesting ideas for using vintage images. Now, if only I could come up with a reason to spend $265 on 480 sheets of script tissue paper, I would. (you can find it under ephemera on his website)
Notebooks...I might need all three.
This is what the LA Times had to say, "Dreamlike images of butterflies, dahlias, leaves and feathers decorate the nearly 100 items, each under $25. Decorative trays such as the ones shown above ($12.99 apiece) are complemented with melamine dinnerware, ceramic mugs, coasters, stationery sets, notebooks and fabric-covered storage bins. The melamine pieces we sampled felt substantial and carried the same spirit (if not exactly the same look) as the original, more expensive glass pieces". -Los Angeles Times
Clockwise from top left: Decorative Trays; Good Intentions, Phrenology, House-Mouse, Water Lilies ($12.99 each) I am in secretly love with the "Encourage good intentions" tray, but I like the brain too!
Silhouettes Coasters, also available in Nests ($12.99 for a set of 4) Are these not cool?
Appetizer Plates, about 6 inches in diameter, clockwise from top left: Butterfly, Dragonfly, Ladybug, Clover ($1.99 each).
Melamine Dinner Plates $2.99
The 6-inch dish with a flatware design is $1.99. The larger tray (shown in the Maze pattern but also available in water lily and dragon fly motifs) is $16.99. (I'll take 12 of the flatware design plate, please)
NOTE: The last collection Mr Derian did for Target was hard to get in my area. I went to Target, couldn't find anyone who had ever heard of him or even knew what I was talking about. I asked for a manager, they said they thought the stuff I was looking for was in a box in the backroom, mind you it was the day after it should have been released, so beware! Here's to hoping for a better showing this time around.
This is what the LA Times had to say, "Dreamlike images of butterflies, dahlias, leaves and feathers decorate the nearly 100 items, each under $25. Decorative trays such as the ones shown above ($12.99 apiece) are complemented with melamine dinnerware, ceramic mugs, coasters, stationery sets, notebooks and fabric-covered storage bins. The melamine pieces we sampled felt substantial and carried the same spirit (if not exactly the same look) as the original, more expensive glass pieces". -Los Angeles Times
Silhouettes Coasters, also available in Nests ($12.99 for a set of 4) Are these not cool?
Appetizer Plates, about 6 inches in diameter, clockwise from top left: Butterfly, Dragonfly, Ladybug, Clover ($1.99 each).
The 6-inch dish with a flatware design is $1.99. The larger tray (shown in the Maze pattern but also available in water lily and dragon fly motifs) is $16.99. (I'll take 12 of the flatware design plate, please)
NOTE: The last collection Mr Derian did for Target was hard to get in my area. I went to Target, couldn't find anyone who had ever heard of him or even knew what I was talking about. I asked for a manager, they said they thought the stuff I was looking for was in a box in the backroom, mind you it was the day after it should have been released, so beware! Here's to hoping for a better showing this time around.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Paula's Coming to Town!!
We have a lot going on around here. Lot's of class kitting and all the detail work that goes into our teaching classes. We will be teaching this month at three of our favorite Arizona stores. If you are in the area, come and see us, we have some fun things planned.
September 11th - Paper & Metal Scrappers - Payson, AZ - We are teaching the class, "Our House" - A cute house made of book board custom cut just for this project. It comes complete with a roof that lifts off and is actually a little book. It's a fun project to leave around on a shelf, mantle or coffee table, that has a wow factor when you show what's inside. Paper Metal Scrappers has moved from their original location, we can't wait to see what they have done with their new store. Did we mention it's a lovely place to visit, in the mountains!
September 18th - Scrap Happy Sisters - Glendale, AZ - We just added this class to our schedule!! We had such a fun time last year when we taught there we are thrilled to go back. We will be teaching the "Close To My Heart" journal. This classes teaches more of an advanced technique using the 7gypsies binderie punch along with some other fun techniques. We will complete an 8x8 ringed journal with all the flip-outs and add ins, complete with a "book bra" closure....you're gonna love it!!
September 19th - Making Memories Unforgettable - Tucson, AZ - No visit to Arizona would be complete without making our way to the lovely ladies at MMU in Tucson. This will be our 4th time to visit so we are anxious to see our good friends there. We will be teaching two classes - the "Close To My Heart" class mentioned above and also the "Family Matters" class that is made on one of the new 7gypsies Letterblock trays.
We will be doing some fun things while we are there, so stop by and see what we are up to.
Each of the stores are listed on the side bar, just click on them to link to their websites for class times and details. Hope to see you there!!
After Arizona.....next stop, Texas!!
Friday, August 27, 2010
Digging for Treasure
Out and about yesterday with my friend Nancy. We drove up the coast to Morro Bay to visit a store called Lina G. We were on the hunt for some vintage trimmings for a project that is in the works.
Lina has a fabulous store that I have visited many times over the years. It is packed full of all kinds of vintage flowers, leaves, lace and ribbon. It's the kind of store you have to dig in and open every drawer, lift up every basket, look high, look low, and you still might not see everything.
I apologize for the pictures in advance...I only had my iphone on me.
After an hour or so we were done looking for what we came for (don't you want to know what were making?) What a great place to spend a few minutes or hours....it's always foggy out by the bay anyway so you might as well spend the time inside.
If you can't make it to Morro Bay, Lina has an online shop on Ebay, Trims and Treasures.
Lina has a fabulous store that I have visited many times over the years. It is packed full of all kinds of vintage flowers, leaves, lace and ribbon. It's the kind of store you have to dig in and open every drawer, lift up every basket, look high, look low, and you still might not see everything.
I apologize for the pictures in advance...I only had my iphone on me.
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| look at this cashwrap |
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| bins of fabulous trim |
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| piles of vintage flowers |
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| my purchase for the day |
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Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Shadowbox Tray
Thought I would share the Shadowbox Tray I did for CHA with the new Conservatory paper collection.
The new tray is 12 x 16" and is much deeper than the Letterbox tray or the Artist Printers tray (maybe 3/4"). Love the way it looks just sitting on an easel (the easel does not come with the tray). The new paper is perfect for the look of the tray too.
Almost everything in the tray comes from my own collections of junk, with the exception of the optical lens in the top right corner and the industrial gears in the large bottom section and the metal label holders (one of my favorite products).
Love this project...hope you do too!
1. Button card
2. Layered paper (Mesofauna, Feather and Magpie). The blue feather is cut from Feather paper and raised with 2 foam squares. Added two vintage bobbins.
3. More of that cheesecloth I dyed in tea, vintage flower and a twig from the lilac bush in my backyard.
4. Optical lens (new from 7gypsies). I cut a skinny branch from my lemon tree to use in this square. Once it was cut to size I threaded the optical lens on the branch, then added some leaves on the side.
5. Mesofauna paper background. Old bottle. I printed the word "abundance" on a piece of paper, aged it a bit and wrapped it around the old bottle. Easy.
6. Mesofauna paper and a bundle of lavender tied with brown and white string.
7. The center section was little more challenging because of the shape. I ended up covering the entire section with the back of Mesofauna paper (the back of Mesofauna is text from a book, plain but perfect). Once the back was in place, I cut pieces from the front side of Mesofauna and Butterfly and Flora and layered them on top of the book text. The paper on the left side with the blue writing, I adhered to a piece of chipboard and aged just like I did back in the post on the "Forgotten Repository" piece (July 29th post). I also did not glue down the top part of the wings of the butterfly on the very right so they lift off the tray.
I also added in pieces of ripped paper that once glued down I rolled back parts with my finger. See bottom left corner of the center section. There is also one below the butterfly (see picture above). All the layers just add to the dimension.
The wreath in the center is part of a bird nest I bought at Michael's some years ago. I just pulled it apart enough to clip away the top half for the wreath shape. I printed the little verse and threaded it into the wreath. It is hung with twill tape I dyed and an upholstery tack. Love that you can nail things into the wood! This is when I added the bird that was left after I cut out section 5. I liked the little bird peeking out from inside the wreath.
8. These are 3 rolls of vintage blanket binding I found in a junk store in Payson, AZ. (which by the way we will be teaching a class in Payson next month...with a little junking afterward). The paper wrapped around the blanket binding is cut from Feather.
9. Number 9 and 11 are both butterflies cut from the paper Butterfly. I glued them to a piece of cardstock and cut them out to give them a little weight so the wings would stay up after I adhered them with a foam square. The background is the back of the same paper.
10. Same back paper as 9 and 10. Vintage metal button.
12. Back is paper Magpie. Piece of driftwood with a phrase cut from an old book.
13. Old book paper just ripped and shoved into to the square. Added my favorite little cotton string and a wooden spool that I added the word "love" to, just like the bottle before.
14. Paper from Flora. I nailed a small metal industrial gear on the left side of the box. Then I nailed another on the exact opposite side. I wound some wire around this nail a few times and then pulled it across the box to the small gear and cut it a few inches longer than the box. Gotta love those Tim Holtz scissors! I threaded buttons and beads on the wire and then finished off by winding the wire around the small gear a few times and cutting if it off. I did glue the big button to the wire so it would stay in place. and not slide all the way to the end.
One final note, I added a red label cut from Feather to the handle at the top of the tray to cover up the 7gypsies logo. Details, details, details.
Well, that's it. Super fun to play with...the ideas are really limitless on this one.
Happy Day,
paula
The new tray is 12 x 16" and is much deeper than the Letterbox tray or the Artist Printers tray (maybe 3/4"). Love the way it looks just sitting on an easel (the easel does not come with the tray). The new paper is perfect for the look of the tray too.
Almost everything in the tray comes from my own collections of junk, with the exception of the optical lens in the top right corner and the industrial gears in the large bottom section and the metal label holders (one of my favorite products).
Love this project...hope you do too!
1. Button card
.2. Layered paper (Mesofauna, Feather and Magpie). The blue feather is cut from Feather paper and raised with 2 foam squares. Added two vintage bobbins.
3. More of that cheesecloth I dyed in tea, vintage flower and a twig from the lilac bush in my backyard.
4. Optical lens (new from 7gypsies). I cut a skinny branch from my lemon tree to use in this square. Once it was cut to size I threaded the optical lens on the branch, then added some leaves on the side.
5. Mesofauna paper background. Old bottle. I printed the word "abundance" on a piece of paper, aged it a bit and wrapped it around the old bottle. Easy.
6. Mesofauna paper and a bundle of lavender tied with brown and white string.
7. The center section was little more challenging because of the shape. I ended up covering the entire section with the back of Mesofauna paper (the back of Mesofauna is text from a book, plain but perfect). Once the back was in place, I cut pieces from the front side of Mesofauna and Butterfly and Flora and layered them on top of the book text. The paper on the left side with the blue writing, I adhered to a piece of chipboard and aged just like I did back in the post on the "Forgotten Repository" piece (July 29th post). I also did not glue down the top part of the wings of the butterfly on the very right so they lift off the tray.
The wreath in the center is part of a bird nest I bought at Michael's some years ago. I just pulled it apart enough to clip away the top half for the wreath shape. I printed the little verse and threaded it into the wreath. It is hung with twill tape I dyed and an upholstery tack. Love that you can nail things into the wood! This is when I added the bird that was left after I cut out section 5. I liked the little bird peeking out from inside the wreath.
8. These are 3 rolls of vintage blanket binding I found in a junk store in Payson, AZ. (which by the way we will be teaching a class in Payson next month...with a little junking afterward). The paper wrapped around the blanket binding is cut from Feather.
9. Number 9 and 11 are both butterflies cut from the paper Butterfly. I glued them to a piece of cardstock and cut them out to give them a little weight so the wings would stay up after I adhered them with a foam square. The background is the back of the same paper.
10. Same back paper as 9 and 10. Vintage metal button.
12. Back is paper Magpie. Piece of driftwood with a phrase cut from an old book.
13. Old book paper just ripped and shoved into to the square. Added my favorite little cotton string and a wooden spool that I added the word "love" to, just like the bottle before.
14. Paper from Flora. I nailed a small metal industrial gear on the left side of the box. Then I nailed another on the exact opposite side. I wound some wire around this nail a few times and then pulled it across the box to the small gear and cut it a few inches longer than the box. Gotta love those Tim Holtz scissors! I threaded buttons and beads on the wire and then finished off by winding the wire around the small gear a few times and cutting if it off. I did glue the big button to the wire so it would stay in place. and not slide all the way to the end.
Well, that's it. Super fun to play with...the ideas are really limitless on this one.
Happy Day,
paula
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